Jeffries demands "maximum protection" for members after bomb threats
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries at a press conference on Nov. 19, 2024. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' (D-N.Y.) office on Friday called for "maximum protection" for members of Congress and their families in response to a series of bomb threats around Thanksgiving.
Why it matters: Nearly the entire Connecticut congressional delegation faced bomb threats on Thursday following a spate of similar threats targeting Trump administration appointees.
- Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.) said Friday that he had been "recently notified" of a bomb threat targeting him and his family at their home but that there was "no evidence of a bomb on the property."
- None of the threats turned out to be credible, according to statements from the lawmakers and appointees, law enforcement and the Trump transition team.
- But the incidents still have lawmakers and staffers on edge amid a broad rise in threats against members of Congress in recent years.
What he's saying: "We have been in close communication with the Sergeant at Arms office and it is imperative that Congress provide maximum protection for all Members and their families moving forward," Jeffries' office said in a statement.
- The statement said the threats are "unacceptable, unconscionable and have no place in a civilized society," and that House Democrats "will not be deterred or intimidated from serving the people by violent threats."
- "All perpetrators of political violence directed at any party must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," it added.
State of play: Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Reps. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), John Larson (D-Conn.), Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) and Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) were all targeted Thursday.
- According to Jeffries' office, the incidents "ranged from detailed threats of a pipe bomb placed in mailboxes to swatting," and all were "signed with 'MAGA' at the conclusion of the message."
- The Capitol Police declined to offer details about the threats in order to "minimize the risk of copy-cats."
The other side: Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wis.), the chair of the House Administration Committee, said in a statement to Axios that there "is no place for threats or political violence in our democracy."
- "I'm in constant communication with our law enforcement officials to ensure they have the resources they need to keep Members and their families safe," he added.
- A spokesperson for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Zoom out: Several Trump appointees, including Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), were targeted by bomb and "swatting" threats Wednesday.
- The incidents come against the backdrop of a years-long rise in political violence targeting lawmakers and public figures in both parties, including two assassination attempts against Trump.
- House Democrats launched a task force on member safety last December after a series of raucous protests around the Israel-Hamas war.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that Jeffries' office, not Jeffries, issued the statement.
